Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.